Thanks, Werder.
A new film would be nice, but we have seen this one twice before.
The first, a lavishly funded extravaganza, based on the Swansea model with a progressive ex-Swans manager and captain, was a decisive move against our defensively minded DNA.
It lasted all of four months before results made us revert to type.
The second, The Golden Thread, featured creativity and pace running throughout the club. It was imagined this vision could be realised by a rookie manager with the largely existing squad.
It produced predictably miserable results. Relegation threatened, and sent us back to basics.
Creativity lll looks as though it will be based on the Norwich model. Someone with experience of making the model work (Alex Neil?) would at least ensure that one lesson had been learned. But a coherent strategy put into practice by an incoherent squad promises little in the way of short-term success.
A string of poor results and yet another reversion to a fire-fighting traditional manager ( Mick McCarthy, Sam Allardyce) would be more than most of us could bear.
But that remains a highly-probable long-term outcome.
Looks like it could be...
Lumley
Peltier - Fry - Bamba - Bola
McNair - Howson
Tav - Crooks - Watmore
Sporar
Whatever the next relaunch is, it would be nice if all models didn't always end up with Boro unable to score goals and then ultimately reverting back to shutting up shop as the club once again rewinds the film.
Thanks Bob. Explosive news (or rumour), though not unexpected.
However, there can be only one winner.
The team shows NW putting his policy into practice with a bang.
Whatever the next relaunch is, it would be nice if all models didn't always end up with Boro unable to score goals and then ultimately reverting back to shutting up shop as the club once again rewinds the film.
So long as its not La La Land ..... again
I suspect that we will see a back three/five
Lumley
McNair - Bamba - Fry
Howson
Peltier Bola
Tav - Crooks - Watmore
Sporar
This will be the first game his season that I have been able to watch. Not sure what to expect, but just hope there is at least some hunger for the ball and for the goal.
Earlier I posted for us to go down 3-1, but given OFB's expletive (rather than explosive!!) news I can imagine thw boss will have his team fully charged up, so I can imagine we will see Boro on the front foot from kick off and everyone one in the team feeling they have something to prove.
I will take a deep a d long sniff of my foam hands and turn my prediction through 180 degrees .... 3-1 it is to Boro then.
CoB
NW has gone with “his players”. I foresee that it will not be enough simply because this group of players haven’t played much , if any, together.
So, I’m expecting a Sheffield win.
Here’s hoping I’m wrong
Philip of Huddersfield
Peltier as a wing-back would be an interesting selection...
I'd say Bob's news is accurate based on NW's pre-match interview. He looked fraught, and far from his normal pre-game ebullience.
Hola all here is a link for those that do not have SKY
https://love.stream2watch.sx/video/middlesbrough-vs-sheffield-united
The "Ginger Terrier", to quote Vic, gives Boro the lead after 9 minutes following a pass from Bola!
Get In II!
Love this film.
Paddy adds a second in the 37th minute, assisted by Matt Crooks.
Vic:
Fans jumping up to celebrate before that had left his boot. Great move, superb touch by Šporar, all played back to edge of box for arriving McNair to unleash a low missile.
So I got it totally wrong. No chance the game will finish 1 0 anymore. But at least we are winning. But happy we have scored one more than I predicted. Superb goals!
Happy days. Up the Boro!
The Championship is a daft league at times like this.
Two brilliant strikes in a near perfect first half and - hallelujah- we have a midfield tonight!
I’ve been a critic of McNair in midfield since he signed really but he’s been good tonight.
Keep it up, Boro. No second half drop off.
Well that truly was the enigma that is the Boro! 2-0 with two very well worked and executed goals. A display of solidity and creativity which has been missing so far for a long while.
Strong performances all around and a midfield which hasn't looked as solid since days of Howson, Morsy and Saville.
Great strikes from both Watmore and McNair who for me is back in his natural position. Now keep it going. CoB 😎
Warnock being vindicated as 'his' team appear to show the energy, urgency and dare I say understanding that has been sadly missing of late. Great opener by Watmore and good strike by McNair who looks like he's enjoying playing in midfield. Could be an interesting post-match press conference if this continues...
- Thanks for the great post Len, well scripted.
Well that was a turn up for the books, very un-typical Boro you could say.
Sheffield have had twice the possesion and passed the ball well up to a point, then given the ball away somewhat. But a goal out of nothing from Whatmore, what he does best. Then a very well worked piece ending in McNair finally finding his scoring boots.
A concern somewhat is that they have done most of the passing and we have done most of the running. Just hope we do not run out of steam with a couple of players not having much game time. If they score and they did hit the post, then it may be difficult.
Two great goals, a world class strike from Watmore and with his weaker left foot, plus a 20 yard drive by McNair have fully vindicated NW"s selections.
Watmore outstanding closely followed by Bola and Bamba, but everyone has run and chased.
The game is still far from won. Sheffield have looked dangerous down the left and had most of the possession. As we run out of steam in the second half we will have to hang on.
NW isn't his normal animated self. He looks like a heart attack waiting to happen. Bob's news may well be true, and I'd be concerned for his welfare
Act of stupidity from Sporer, and lucky not to be sent off.
Uche on so we have the target man we need at this stage
Well. I will have to make sure I get to see more games live. What has all the despondancy been for, that was a good team effort and deserved winners 😉 .
Seriously though. It was a great effort, although I did feel that we were lucky Sheffield didn't do more with their possession on the night.
If we play like that consistently we should win many more than we lose.
Here's hoping...
Well it was all about the result tonight and Neil Warnock delivered with his shift to picking players who were ready to play - though I thought Jones was unfortunate to miss out but Watmore proved his quality with a fine goal. Even Sol Bamba looked to roll back the years as he added his defensive know-how for the cause. Team spirit was evident from the beginning with no room for passengers as we saw a lot of drive and determination after the manager's u-turn for those requiring L-plates.
There wasn't much left behind on the pitch as most gave everything - whether all could perform to that level twice a week is debatable but it what was needed tonight to get back on track - Boro will now go into Saturday's game just 4 points off the play-offs and possibly enter the international break only a win away from their target. Be interesting to hear Neil Warnock's view post-match!
btw The second half was a difficult to watch on the various dodgy streams as they kept freezing, losing sound and getting out of sync - plus all the various pop-ups etc - be glad to get back to the MFC stream at the weekend as probably missed over half of the game.
So much better from Boro tonight.
Bamba was excellent. Watmore, Bola, Lumley and McNair were very good whilst Howson, Peltier and Fry were quietly efficient.
Sporar worked hard and gave us a threat on the break and might have had one or two goals had we managed to play better final passes to him as he ran into pockets of space.
We shouldn’t get carried away as between the boxes Sheff Utd bossed the game really but we were hard-working, organised, joined-up and more effective in both penalty areas against a good side.
Something to build on at last.
Where did that come from?
Peltier was solid and steady, Bola put in a great performance down the left, Fry looked calm and comfortable and Bamba was immense and playing like he was ten years younger, he reminded me of one of those pop up adverts claiming a 100 uses for a popular oil spray!
Howson was at his best, Crooks ran and chased putting himself about, Watmore done well for 60 minutes and bagged his obligatory goal, Paddy looked desperate to prove a point. Up top Sporar looks a class act at this level albeit a bit silly and lucky to get away with a yellow. Tav almost tried too hard but was very effective especially in the last few moments holding the ball up. The much lamented Lumley put in a performance that was reminiscent of Schwarzer.
Clearly Warnock shuffled his pack and went with those whom he trusted and it paid off plus we didn't see Players dragged all over man marking. That Howson was at his best and Bamba barking out instructions behind certainly helped but all over there wasn't a single poor performance. The question is where was that all Season and the old saying of one Swallow doesn't make a summer rings true.
Can it be carried on to the next game is the big challenge.
A thoroughly deserved victory and a good example of what Warnock's methods, for all of their limitations, can achieve in terms of commitment, energy and motivation, allied to no little degree of individual skill.
And Bamba!.What a beautiful man! What an inspiration! What a performance! Man of the match by a distance. With honours to Watmore, Lumley, Bola, Howson and Crooks. But no weak links anywhere.
And in the club's internal battles, Round One to the manager.
Maybe a clear the air was what was needed to get everyone pulling in the same direction tonight.
It certainly looked like a team that was fighting for the manager and Warnock was quite calm and subdued tonight with no histrionics.
Perhaps SG has had a word telling him to call down?
Im not sure if Bamba Howson and Peltier can reproduce that same energy a few days later on Saturday. I also noticed Bola seemed to be limping through the game.
Would it be typical Boro to lose on Saturday ?
Lets see what Andy thinks ?
Over to you buddy
OFB